FC Dallas players Paxton Pomykal and Johnny Nelson have undergone surgery to repair core muscle injuries. The surgeries were carried out by Dr. William Meyers at the Vincera Institute in Philadelphia. The same surgeon has previously treated former FC Dallas players Marquinhos Pedroso, Kellyn Acosta, Kris Reaves, and Victor Ulloa, as well as other athletes such as Marshawn Lynch and Justin Verlander.

Both players are expected to take around six weeks to recover and should be ready for the start of preseason training in 2020.

Nelson had sat out for nearly two months of his rookie season with an abdominal injury but was able to play six games with North Texas SC after returning in August.

Pomykal had experienced an inflamed hip flexor in the final month of the MLS season, as well as a lingering hamstring issue through much of the year. Those injuries each relate to the core muscle group that Dr. Meyers specializes in.

3rd Degree is an independent, North Texas soccer blog with a focus on FC Dallas.(3rd Degree / Buzz Carrick)